Latest news with #Gunaydin
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UMN graduate student Dogukan Gunaydin released from ICE detention
The Brief A University of Minnesota student detained by ICE for nearly two months has been freed after a court decision. Dogukan Gunaydin, a Turkey national, was detained over a 2023 DUI arrest. Earlier this month, a judge ruled that arrest alone wasn't a deportable offense. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The University of Minnesota graduate student arrested by ICE back in March over a 2023 drunk driving case has been freed from ICE detention after a court ruling. What we know Dogukan Gunaydin, a Turkish national, was released from ICE detention Thursday afternoon after nearly two months of detainment. Gunaydin spoke with reporters upon his release, saying, "I am relieved to be released, but I am deeply troubled and harmed by this clear violation of my constitutional right for due process. It took 56 days to undo something that should not have happened in the first place." He continued with a message to other international students, "I want all international students to know this: while there might be some who want to scare us by abusing the power of their office, there are many more who welcome us and fight alongside us to defend our rights." "My only hope is that no one, including those that did this to me, suffer such injustice. this country deserves much better. Let's not forget, it's not liberty and justice for some, but it is for all," Gunaydin finished. The backstory Earlier this month, an immigration judge ruled Gunaydin couldn't be deported solely because of the drunk driving arrest, saying the crime didn't reach the level of a deportable offense. The Department of Homeland Security moved to appeal the decision, keeping Gunaydin in custody while the appeal process played out. Dig deeper Gunaydin was arrested in Minneapolis back in June 2023 for drunk driving. A criminal complaint states Gunaydin was driving with a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit (0.17). He ultimately pleaded guilty to a DUI charge. After his ICE arrest in March 2025, his attorneys said that Gunaydin had stayed out of legal trouble outside the 2023 arrest and had maintained his course load as a graduate student at the U of M's Carlson School. They argued that the arrest alone wasn't enough to terminate his F-1 student status. Big picture view In the days after Gunaydin's arrest became public, FOX 9 learned of other international students who were facing removal by DHS. At Minnesota State University Mankato, at least a dozen students had their visa status terminated by DHS, including Mohammed Hoque, a 20-year-old student from Bangladesh. His attorneys also fought his detainment, arguing Hoque had been targeted over his support for Palestine. A judge also ultimately sided with Hoque's attorneys, ruling "the record contains sufficiently clear evidence of viewpoint-based targeting for [Hoque's] exercise of protected speech on a matter of public concern." Hoque was released from ICE custody earlier this month after 40 days in detainment.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UMN grad student remains in ICE custody despite immigration court ruling
The Brief An immigration judge has ruled the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cannot deport University of Minnesota grad student Dogukan Gunaydin. DHS is appealing the ruling. Gunaydin remains in ICE custody at the Sherburne County jail as the appeal plays out. An immigration judge has ruled the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cannot deport University of Minnesota graduate student Dogukan Gunaydin, terminating removal proceedings against him. Yet, Gunaydin remains in custody as DHS appeals the ruling. What we know An Immigration Court judge has ruled the government cannot deport University of Minnesota graduate student, Gunaydin, terminating removal proceedings against him. FOX 9 has obtained Judge Sarah Mazzie's six-page ruling. In her ruling, Mazzie sided with the Turkish graduate student and his legal team, terminating deportation proceedings against him. DHS is appealing her ruling. So, for now, Gunaydin remains behind bars at the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River. "The court concludes DHS has not met its burden to establish removability by clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence. Therefore, the court terminates removal proceedings," Judge Mazzie wrote. Experts tell FOX 9 an appeals case in Immigration Court can take months to resolve. Dig deeper Gunaydin has been in ICE custody since Mach 27 after he was arrested near his off-campus apartment in St. Paul. The government revoked Gunaydin's student visa and began deportation proceedings against him because of a previous drunk driving offense in which his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. DHS argues the 2023 arrest makes him a risk to public safety and warrants returning him to his native Turkey. Judge Mazzie acknowledged the seriousness of Gunaydin's offense, writing, "The facts of this case leave no doubt that [Gunaydin] engaged in dangerous activity. However, the evidence is insufficient to establish he placed a large segment of the general population at risk." In conclusion, Mazzie found DHS did not meet its burden to deport Gunaydin. What they're saying "The Immigration Judge erred in failing to find that driving dangerously while severely intoxicated is criminal activity that endangers public safety and as a result erred in terminating the removal proceedings," wrote DHS attorney Laura Trosen. FOX 9 previously reported a federal court judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring DHS and ICE from moving Gunaydin out of the district of Minnesota during his case proceedings. What's next In light of Judge Mazzie's ruling, a previously scheduled hearing for Gunaydin in immigration court on Tuesday has been canceled. The Board of Immigration Appeals has set a Thursday deadline for the two sides to submit their initial briefs in the appeal proceedings.
CBS News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Judge rules University of Minnesota student detained by ICE cannot be deported
Minnesota can expect tuition hikes as state budget looks bleak, and more news headlines Minnesota can expect tuition hikes as state budget looks bleak, and more news headlines Minnesota can expect tuition hikes as state budget looks bleak, and more news headlines A judge has ruled that detained University of Minnesota student Dogukan Gunaydin cannot be deported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The judge made the ruling on Monday, more than two weeks after a bond hearing. The 28-year-old Turkish citizen is an MBA student at the Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis and was detained by ICE in March. Homeland Security officials say Gunaydin's visa was revoked due to a 2023 DWI arrest in Minneapolis. In his ruling, the judge wrote, "Respondents shall not remove, transfer or otherwise facilitate the removal of Gundaydin from the District of Minnesota," and, "no other person or agency shall remove, transfer or otherwise facilitate the removal of Gunadyin from the District of Minnesota on Respondent's behalf." The judge also granted Gundaydin a temporary restraining order, which could be extended if he shows good cause. Requests from Gunaydin's attorney, Hannah Brown, to reinstate his student status, and to immediately release him from detention were denied by the judge. Police dash cam video of the 2023 arrest shows Gunaydin saying he feared deportation after officers told him a breathalyzer test showed he was three times over the legal limit. "I should not have done this," Gunaydin said in the dash cam video. "I just don't want this to be the reason that I go back to the third-world country, that I just f****** die from a terrorist organization." Court records show that in March 2024, when Gunaydin petitioned to enter a guilty plea, he stated, "I understand that if I am not a citizen of the United States, my plea of guilty may result in deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization as a United States citizen." Brown argued during the hearing that he has expressed remorse for the DWI, understands the seriousness of his arrest, and even sold his car as a form of personal punishment so he couldn't drive anymore. This is a developing story. Stay with to learn more.
CBS News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Judge denies deportation of University of Minnesota student following bond hearing
A judge has ruled that detained University of Minnesota student Dogukan Gunaydin cannot be deported following a bond hearing. The judge made the ruling on Monday, more than two weeks after a bond hearing. The 28-year-old Turkish citizen is an MBA student at the Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis and was detained by ICE in March. Homeland Security officials say Gunaydin's visa was revoked due to a 2023 DWI arrest in Minneapolis. In his ruling, the judge wrote, "Respondents shall not remove, transfer or otherwise facilitate the removal of Gundaydin from the District of Minnesota," and, "no other person or agency shall remove, transfer or otherwise facilitate the removal of Gunadyin from the District of Minnesota on Respondent's behalf." The judge also granted Gundaydin a temporary restraining order, which could be extended should he show could good cause. Requests from Gunaydin's attorney, Hannah Brown, to reinstate his student status, and to immediately release him from detention were denied by the judge. Police dash cam video of the 2023 arrest shows Gunaydin saying he feared deportation after officers told him a breathalyzer test showed he was three times over the legal limit. "I should not have done this," Gunaydin said in the dash cam video. "I just don't want this to be the reason that I go back to the third-world country, that I just f****** die from a terrorist organization." Court records show that in March 2024, when Gunaydin petitioned to enter a guilty plea, he stated, "I understand that if I am not a citizen of the United States, my plea of guilty may result in deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization as a United States citizen." Brown argued during the hearing that he has expressed remorse for the DWI, understands the seriousness of his arrest, and even sold his car as a form of personal punishment so he couldn't drive anymore. This is a developing story. Stay with to learn more.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigration judge rules U of M grad student can't be deported
The Brief An immigration court judge has ruled the Department of Homeland Security cannot deport University of Minnesota grad student Dogukan Gunaydin. DHS is appealing the ruling. Gunaydin will remain in ICE custody at the Sherburne County jail as the appeal plays out. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - An Immigration Court judge has ruled the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cannot deport University of Minnesota graduate student Dogukan Gunaydin. What we know Gunaydin's case has drawn significant attention to the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts targeting college students with criminal records. Gunaydin was convicted in a 2023 drunk driving case, and while the Immigration judge found it to be a serious offense, she ruled it doesn't warrant removing him from the U.S. He has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since his arrest on March 27, will remain in custody as DHS appeals the ruling. The case has drawn significant attention and several protests. Dig deeper FOX 9 has obtained Judge Sarah Mazzie's six-page ruling. In her ruling, Mazzie sided with the Turkish grad student and his legal team, terminating deportation proceedings against him. DHS is appealing her ruling. For now, Gunaydin will remain behind bars at the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River. "The court concludes DHS has not met its burden to establish removability by clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence. Therefore, the court terminates removal proceedings," Judge Mazzie wrote. The backstory Gunaydin has been in ICE custody since March 27 after he was arrested near his off-campus apartment in St. Paul. The government revoked Gunaydin's student visa and began deportation proceedings against him because of a previous drunk driving offense in which his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. DHS argues the 2023 arrest makes him a risk to public safety and warrants returning him to his native Turkey. Judge Mazzie acknowledged the seriousness of Gunaydin's offense writing, "The facts of this case leave no doubt that [Gunaydin] engaged in dangerous activity. However, the evidence is insufficient to establish he placed a large segment of the general population at risk." In conclusion, Mazzie found DHS did not meet its burden to deport Gunaydin. What they're saying The Department of Homeland Security is appealing the ruling. "The immigration judge erred in failing to find that driving dangerously while severely intoxicated is criminal activity that endangers public safety and as a result erred in terminating the removal proceedings," wrote DHS attorney Laura Trosen. While the appeal process plays out, Gunaydin will remain in custody. FOX 9 previously reported a federal court judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring DHS and ICE from moving Gunaydin out of the district of Minnesota during his case proceedings. What's next Gunaydin is scheduled to return to Immigration court on Tuesday for his next hearing.
